Monday, December 12, 2011

Christmas Books for the Family: Part 3

Reading Christmas books for this blog has been a lovely experience. One of the nicest things has been discovering the Christmas books by Eve Bunting. Last week I wrote about December, which enchanted me. This week, Night Tree and Christmas Cricket captured my heart. I hope you enjoy them, and all the other books, as much as I do.

Night Treeby Eve Bunting, illustrated by Ted Rand

A family goes out on a cold Christmas Eve and decorates a tree in the woods. They hang strings of popcorn, apples, oranges and seed balls for the animals on Christmas. I love this idea!

Christmas Cricket by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Timothy Bush

On a cold Christmas Eve, a little cricket feels small and worthless. He hops into a house and finds his way to the Christmas tree. His singing adds to the magic of the evening. I read this book several times, loving each reading.

This is a retelling of an old Ukrainian Christmas story. There would be no Christmas for a family because there was no money for presents. However the children convinces the adults that they could all make presents. When the tree they brought in from the forest hatches hundreds of spiders, they had another problem to solve.

The Christmas Cobwebs by Odds Bodkin, illustrated by Terry Widener

An amazing thing – this is another Christmas book in which spiders play an important part. A German immigrant family’s home is burned by a fire. Everyone is safe but to get money for starting over, they must sell their Christmas treasures. Read to find out how the spiders help them out.

Christmas is Here words from the King James Bible, illustrated by Lauren Castillo

Starting with the scripture, And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field… and continuing just to when the shepherds kneel at the manger, this is a simply and beautifully told story. I read it several times and then ordered my own copy.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski

Mr. Toomey was a gloomy guy. He was also the most skillful woodcarver in the valley. A woman and her son visit his home to request that he carve them a nativity scene. He grumpily agrees. He also grumpily agrees to let the son observe him while he carves. The carving – and the watching – lead the man to change.

On Christmas in 1915, Pap goes away to help build a subway in New York City. His family sends him Mother's special jam which works magic – both by turning the heart of his mean boss and by returning him home to celebrate Christmas.

The Worst Person’s Christmas by James Stevenson

This is the third book in the Worst Person series. This time, the worst person dislikes Christmas more than anything. When his neighbors' kindness causes a happy accident, it forces him to participate in some holiday festivities. He’s changed, but no more than you’d expect.

The Light of Christmas by Richard Paul Evans, illustrated by Daniel Craig

More than anything, Alexander wants to see the annual lighting of the Christmas torch.

When he stops to help an old man, he misses his chance to enter the gate leading into the town square. However, his kindness to the old man is soon rewarded.

Winter’s Gift by Jane Monroe Donovan

On a stormy Christmas Eve, a lonely old farmer brings a lost horse into his barn. In the morning, he awakes to a lovely Christmas surprise. This is a quiet story with lovely paintings.

If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out The 12 Days of Christmas. Fun books!